Peter R. Bickford

As mentioned in the ComicBase Livestream here, there's a number of "secret" keyboard functions you can do to invoke special functions in ComicBase. Most of these are ways to invoke special extra functions (e.g. when doing list rebuilds), but some are also neat as (previously) undocumented shortcuts. Here, as promised, is the full list: Secret Shift Key Functions Resets window positions when held down when the program is launched Lets you re-download content updates (Shift + Internet > Check for Updates). Also works with clicking the "Update" button in Sidekick Deletes the original file after copying the picture to the appropriate media folder, when you drag a cover picture onto the grid Bypasses any "Save a Backup" when Exiting the program (Shift + File > Exit) Bypasses any daily re-calculation of totals when exiting the program Secret Alt Key Functions Forces update of pricing flags for the current database, when opening the program. Useful if you want to force the next update to update your prices, whether it thinks there's been a chance from the current price or not. Allows you to auto-name dragged files (useful for taking files found on the web and giving them the proper issue names when dragging in new cover art) When rebuilding item lists (Alt + click the Rebuild button in File > File Tools > Rebuild Lists), moves creator credits from notes to the appropriate creator fields, removes redundant notes, and attempts to move appearance citations from the notes field to the Appearances field. Typically only desirable if working with a very old ComicBase file which predates those fields. Secret Control Key Functions Forces deep database check open the current database when held down when launching the program or opening a database. Verifies table and data structures for integrity and performs any necessary fix-up. Secret Control Key + Alt Functions Holding Ctrl + Alt when launching the program or opening a database not only forces a deep database check, but also causes ComicBase to drop and recreate all database indexes. This is at least potentially useful for speeding searches or troubleshooting index issues.

Catching up with some of the latest auction news from Heritage Auction Gallery... Vampirella (Magazine) #1 The magazine-sized debut of the sultry vampiress from Drakulon was largely unremarked upon when it first appeared back in 1969, seemingly being just another adult-themed horror character from Warren, albeit one whose debut featured a cover painting from the great Frank Frazetta. Vampirella proved a long-lasting character, however, and--despite decades of garnering only relatively mild collector interest--caught fire in the 1990s with the reimagining by Harris Comics. Since then, she's become a regular star of several publisher's efforts, and her first appearance back in the magazine continues to shoot to new heights, with recent auction sales pushing the $0.50 magazine to over twice its previous value, at $1500. Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #130 Carl Barks is traditionally known as "The "Good Duck Artist" -- beautifully rendering Donald, Scrooge, and the rest of the Disney duck gang in a luminous style which has long been prized by collectors. Recent auction results continue to confirm his popularity, pushing "Barks Duck" issues #94, 95, and #130 to new heights -- tripling the former guides for the first two comics, and pushing the July, 1951 issue #130 from $140 to $225. Our Fighting Forces #46 DC's 1950s and 1960s war comics were overall very solid from both a storytelling and artistic point of view, featuring the talents of stalwarts like Russ Heath, Irv Novick, Ross Andru, and Bill Finger, and the great Joe Kubert. Our Fighting Forces, however, typically got less attention than titles like Star Spangled War Stories, lacking a breakaway star like Sgt. Rock (at least until the late-series introduction of The Losers). From an auction standpoint, OFF seems to be finding its audience at last, with strong showings along many of the earlier issues essentially tripling last year's prices. Noted in particular here is issue #46, which jumped from $95 to $275. Shazam! #1 C.C. Beck's super-hero fave "Shazam!" was originally known as Captain Marvel, but was forced to change names when Marvel Comics gained rights to the trademark after one of the more celebrated sets of legal struggles in comic history. Reborn as Shazam! (both a battle cry and the initials of the seven legendary characters whose power he was invoking to transform from kid Billy Batson into the mighty Captain... err... Shazam! guy). Although the character has its fans, it largely underperformed in recent auctions, with even high grade slabbed copies selling for essentially the same price as unslabbed NM copies (when typically you'd expect a significant "CGC Premium"). The guide price fell slightly to $106, largely supported by similar unslabbed sales, sold through traditional, non-auction channels.